I just wanted to thank you for the effort in making these very detailed tutorials. It's a few years later and a number of necks later, but it started with these vids of yours. So thank you!!!

THanks DAvid! One, if not the best, of the series of videos online for neck building. I know the rest of the build will be just as informative and professional. What's perhaps unique about this series is that it is by an Australian luthier and is undoubtably World Class!!! good onyer David!

Absolutely amazing work. I can't believe that a board of wood would be turned into such beautiful art like this! You've inspired me to build my own Telecaster neck from scratch and I've been watching your videos along the way so I wouldn't get lost! I look forward to watching the body be made and also future guitar projects! You are a true craftsman and thank you for sharing your techniques of how you build your own custom guitars! - Tyler

This is incredible. I can't express how much I value this series. I'm currently building my first guitar, and your insights have provided me with a fresh perspective on many aspects of the process, which I deeply appreciate. Thank you so much.

I've nearly completed my first guitar neck and it looks pretty good thanks to your videos!!! If I were down under I'd by you a few beers. So grateful I found your channel Fletch.

I have really enjoyed this neck build, your patience and attention to detail is next level. Thank you

Beautiful, precise work. Exactly what anyone who wants to build a neck or fret/refret a neck should be watching. The best series on the subject on KZread by a country mile

Wow! Suddenly the cost of truly handcrafted guitars makes way more sense to me!!

This has been my sixth or seventh time watching this. It never gets old. Sir, not only are you a master guitar builder, but excellent as an instructor. Exactly how it should be taught

I built quite a few guitars of my own design starting in 1983 . Last 4 were strats . The first one I bought the neck that was a strat style to fit a tele I just added rose wood to make the heel rounded . I built 3 strat necks and 5 bodies and didn't have any stew mac tools except for the last one which I sold . All I bought was a fret saw and 12" radius block a fret hammer and a neck rest to drive it the frets. On all of them except the last I used the aluminum U channel type truss rod stew mac offers the lost one I used the stew max hot rod hex key adjust. I didn't like the way the rod just sets right under the finger board . I like a filler strip. All the necks I built are maple from a wood supply shop with rose wood boards from a large block I was given decades ago. I only used a router for the rod slot and to round over the body edges. I shaped the necks like you did for the most part except used two spoke shaves for some of it. The finger boards were all hand sawn by me then planed flat and the radius was done with a block I made and the frets all finished with a flat mill file and crowned with a three corner file with the edges removed and then sand paper and 0000 steel wool to polish . The router was also used for the body routes. I did use spray gun and lacquer and hand sanded and hand buffed. Last one I used stew macs water based lacquer and an air brush . I didn't go as far as you for the shine. I have no idea why perhaps because when I built the necks the back of the head stock and neck end should be even /flat with each other the last one was because by then I had a PC . They work fine yet one the heel is deeper than the peg head and one is much higher , even the one I bought from a shop who built all sorts of guitars sold me is not level with the peg head back. I have a neck blank and a pre slotted board board from stew mac and the tall fret wire I like and the same u channel rod all from stew mac sitting here for at least 14 years and plan on making one more neck to replace one I don't like . I have no templates to rout the neck and board after glue up . I just do it all by hand and it takes a lot of time . The one thing I do different is I don't cut fret slots any deeper than the fret tang and also cut them to follow the boards radius , it leaves a lot more wood for a what I feel a stronger board. The stew Mac board has the slots cut , in this case rather than dealing with cutting my own slots it will do fine . I have another black board and will first cut my own slots , if it works out that's what I;ll use . All this to say you did a great job and have a nice set of tools. Most of these specific guitar building tools didn't exist when I started stew mac didn't have this either, they just sold a few items mostly parts and some tools . I used to get my parts from local shops as well as the wood from local hard wood suppliers who no longer exist.

I agree with copglide ("Wow! Suddenly the cost of truly handcrafted guitars makes way more sense to me!!"). I can't afford it, but that is some truly beatiful work! I can tell it's meant to be an instrument that could be passed down as a classic.

Thanks so much for this series! Best guitar building series on KZread by far. Please continue doing lutherie videos!

Absolutely beautiful. I watched the whole neck series and i am blown away. I'm an intermediate player but I've always had a fascination with the building process and you have got me rearing for more. I'm working on putting a custom strat together with my dad, not from scratch like you, but one day i totally will. Thank you Mr. Fletcher

I have witnessed perfection. The key is patience and also having the right tools. Taking the time to clean up between steps seems important too. You are the paramount guitar builder and if I can reach towards your standards, even 80% as much, i will have created a beautiful instrument. Thank you for hand carving the neck. I do that as well but learned so much from you. Thank you so much for this.

이 채널을 알게된 이후 일년에 몇번씩 꼭 봅니다. 너무 재밌어요!! 저는 기타를 만드는 사람이 아니고 그냥 연주자 입니다. 이 영상은 내가 사용하고있는 기타에대한 이해가 깊어지고, 내 악기를 사랑하게 만듭니다. 참 특별해요! 기타에대한 이해가 깊어진 만큼 제 기타 톤이 좋아졌을것이고 연주도 좋아졌으리라 확신합니다. 좋은자료 감사합니다.

I have built several solid body guitars but never had the courage to try a neck. I'm still not sure I would try it now but thanks to this video series I know I could. I can only speculate what this neck would cost. A LOT OF WORK. Just toured the Taylor factory in Calif. and I never saw any work on frets after they were press in all at the same time. (except making sure the edges were not sharp etc.) I am sure Leo Fender would be proud of this neck. Heck PRS, Gibson, Martin and anyone else.

IMHO the neck is where the tone lives. I love these vids!!

i build guitars and banjos and i like some of your ideas trimming the frets to give a flush finish is very neat, i make telecaster type guitars but now use a fixed neck and 24 3/4 scale, i would remind people who profile their own neck to remember that the neck feels larger when the strings are fitted but not to go to mad to quick, try and feel a neck without strings to get a feel for what you require. great videos thanks

I agree these videos are just impossible to stop watching! Extremely well done on the neck, and damn but it's ome solid shooting and editing!! Just not a question left unanswered or an unnecessary moment! I'm almost more impressed on that level than even the beautiful artwork itself :p

good job I love that neck flamed, deserves applause these jobs!

A true master piece! I hope one day to have the tools, the time and half the skill to be able to make my own guitars! Great series can't wait to see the rest of this piece of art! You truly have the ability to not only make a beautiful guitar, but to pass on your knowledge in an entertaining and accessible way!

Excellent job!!!!! Both making the neck, and documented it. Thank very much. It is an excellente material for building great instruments.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

tomassamot Thankyou

Thanks for sharing your craft. I have used several of your methods in constructing my own instruments. I've watched a lot of videos and prefer your methods over most.

Very nice work. I've been building my own guitars for a number of years but it's always nice to pick up a tip or two that I hadn't seen yet and your videos are certainly full of them. I thought I'd pass one on to you if you hadn't seen it yet. I learned this painting cars. When you wet sand use a foam sanding block to squeegee off the water. It cuts way down on the paper towels and the surface drys a lot quicker so to can see if you've flatted the area a lot faster than towels alone. It saves towels but especially time.

Awesome awesome awesome awesome....thank you very much Fletch.

Love your attention to detail, thanks for sharing your techniques.

As a guitarist, the neck is the true piece of art in my opinion. Don't intend on building a guitar or neck anytime soon but great series

Terrific job and thank you for sharing your art

Fantastic! Your attention to detail and explanations of everything have earned a new sub. This thing is a beauty. Can't wait to see the body built and the final product. Awesome!

Part 6 of my 10 part Stratocaster Build

Simply fantastic,★★★★★ you have golden hands my friend!!!

Hey Fletch, Sweet videos. I really enjoy the later videos... very imformative. Your guitars are beautiful. It's nice to see someone thats truly skilled who's willing to share with the world. Thanks and keep up the great work.

This neck is stunning!

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

8 жыл бұрын

+Danny Day Thanks Danny

Awesome work!! Your skill for teaching is incredible, and i love how you make this look easy. Nine and a half gold stars my friend! Also, i have not yet seen any other instructional video, that leaves me feeling like i know how to do this myself, or, i can do this. Cheers and keep it up!

Beautiful. Nice work David. Thanks for this series of videos.

Thank you for your videos. Your detail is really helpful and I find your very meticulous and methodical approach is giving me lots of ideas. I look forward to more of your videos

Genial la serie de construcción del mástil de stratocaster muchas gracias! The strato's neck series has been really great! thank you so much!

Master work, great video, it makes me appreciate the work that it goes into a neck/Guitar

Amazingly beautiful work David! I applaud you.

Enjoyed your videos and you got great ideas. Beautiful project on the neck.

Absolutely brilliant! Thank you!

Just watched all 6 of the neck vids. Excellent!! looking forward to the remaining build. Definately helped me as a novice CBG builder to improve and i'll be trying a lot of your techniques. Many thanks.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Cheers mark, glad you found them useful

Absolutely gorgeous neck. Nicest I've ever seen.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Cheers mate !

Stunning!

That looks nicer than anything I have seen from the Fender factory!

Very very good instructions and very fine work. I loved it. Thank you very much, it gave me a lot of knowledge and tips.

Amazing job my brother!

Thanks David. I must have blinked and missed that valuable nugget of information!

Muchas gracias Jorge, me alegro de que te haya gustado ver el video

Definitely - Warmoth necks are fantastic quality but If they did not specify that the neck has had the frets leveled, you can assume you will need to do that yourself. Most people will not bother, and that's the reason that the guitar is never able to be set up with nice low action.

If you tape the side of the fretboard before you tape the top it will make it easier to remove the tape across the top as it will pull up the edges when the side tape is removed.

Wow, that's beautiful. Just finished my first body and need a neck. Would love to make my own. Your video is definitely inspiring.

I watched every video, and I have only one word: Wonderful!! congratulations

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Thankyou Marcello !

Amazing. You are a true artist

Nice Job , love that neck!!

3M has a new product called Trizact. It is for metal work, and is a 72" belt for a belt sander. The abrasive is very evenly bonded hard glass ceramic resin that is applied in parallel strands. It does not leave scratches, and I have even used it to resurface stand up bass. The fine feel of this stuff is a bit misleading. It is aggressive. Unfortunately the stuff is only sold in 50 packs by 3M. A distributor might have individual belts. I love the stuff. It is like a fine single cut file on cloth

I'm just so used to doing it with the straight beam now and get good results

beautiful work !...

I totally love all of your videos! They help me a lot! Thanks //Simon

Thanks a lot, Mr. Fletcher!

Your welcome Michael, glad you liked it

Seems like you could run a piece of blue tape along the fret board, down the neck...right near the edge of the maple. Then fold it over the frets, and *then* apply the cross taping. Then it would prevent the compound accumulating on the edges of the frets, and it should also facilitate easy removal of the tape between the fret wires. I think I saw Dan Erlewine do that in one of his videos, and it worked out really nicely as I recall.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Oh definitely, I could have done a MUCH better job of taping the fretboard :-)

@bluehornet6752

9 жыл бұрын

***** No sweat...we knew what you *meant* to do!

Thank you so very much for your wonderful informative videos you do beautiful work

Stunningly good work.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jack

gracias por subir el video ..esta muy bueno tus trabajos ..te agradecemos!!!

espectacular job, congratulations, you are a genius

Nice work

Great work !! fantastic , can't stop watching ;) , very good inspriation,

Absolutely, good advise

you could use that dremmel to buff the finish in those tiny areas where you can't get by hand also if the disk is asoft buffing type disk.

I don't like using a radius block to level fret. They are fine for radiusing a fretboard before fretting but I find they take too much meat off the frets on the outside edges when used to level the frets. I prefer to use a straight block as in my video.

Brilliant!

Thanks Tyson

Have you ever though of doing the fall away starting at the 2nd fret?

Cheers mate !

Beautiful wood used there. Watch out Fender...haha. Nice work Fletch!

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Cheers Cam

Really excellent video... transmitting your skill and knowledge in a clear and concise manner that wants me to go out and buy tools .. trouble is the expense... maybe you could consider a video for people who want to try and build their own guitar but on a relatively tight budget, what would be the minimal tools needed to achieve a result ? just a thought ... thanks for an excellent and motivational series of tutorials.

Hi Connor, Check out the last few seconds of part 3 - I show how I remove the bushings.

That's a beautiful neck

Amazing job in the building neck videos. Better to have stainless steel frets in a guitar neck like this. Will last forever and no need of frets dress or frets replacement.

awesome videos thanks!!!!!

G'day mate, its Formbys Lemon Oil

Pure art! Absolutely love it. Great job! I noticed what seemed to be some inconsistencies in the contact point after crowning. The marker line didn't seem straight. Wouldn't this affect intonation? I have only crowned one time with a diamond file and I continued until all the marker was gone.Did I go wrong? I still have some fret height I want to remove though, so no problem with taking too much off. Thank you!

12:34 this tip is awesome.

Great videos! Why don't you use the radiused sanding block for the fret leveling too?

Coming back to take another look at your work. Thanks again for documenting your process. It's just as inspiring the second/third time around.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

8 жыл бұрын

+Greg's Garage Thanks Greg, I need to get around to filming a new build I think

@GregsGarage

8 жыл бұрын

YES!!! I'm curious if you are using the carve in your process. Also what software you are using to create stuff.

@phlopalopagus

7 жыл бұрын

Yes please. Im watching it for the second time as well. As cool as a strat type guitar is your talents seem a waist to do a look alike. I haven't seen anything else you do so that is why Im saying that. For all I know you could have dozens of different guitars. Im going to go check it out now.

Maestro!!!

Hi, Yes the fretboard is Rosewood

Hi David. I'm loving your work! I'm just wondering how you removed the tuner bushings the first time round when you were doing a dry assembly to drill out the tuner fixing holes prior to finishing the headstock?

Hey, awesome videos, I watched them all! What product did you use to clean the fretboard? or what product would you recommend I should use to clean the fretboard when removing the strings? My fretboard is also rosewood. Thanks, and i loved your work, such a beautiful guitar at the end

Dave, I gotta say you've inspired me to build my own telecaster. I'm 90% done at this point and the whole project has gone great thanks to your video series. One question though. I'm concerned about the tuner bushings and the string ferrules cracking the lacquer when I press them in. Any advise?

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Great ! :-) I use a soldering iron to push the ferrules in, it works perfectly if you are careful and don't overheat the ferrule. I use 340 degrees C on the iron and within 2-3 seconds it just slides in. Too much heat will mar the lacquer, only install one at a time and let it cool before moving on to the next one. As for the tuner bushings , I just use a small drill bit with sandpaper wrapped around it to clean out the buildup before I push them in. Take care of course or else you will get chipping. Good luck

I don't like to use a radius block for leveling fret. A straight beam does a much better job for me. I do however slide the beam from side to side as I level to keep the radius. For me, a radius beam is to sand the initial radius before fretting, not for leveling frets. I find when used as a fret leveler, it over radius's the frets at the ends leaving the middle of the frets high and the ends sanded too much. I''m not saying your method is wrong, saying we both have different methods.

could you use the radius beam to sand the frets as well???

Thanks

Hi, Unfortunately, I got the bottle from Amazon USA. I've never seen it for sale in Australia

fletcher..teach me..i love your video!!!good job!!i want learn every singel things with you..

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nick

very impressive, the neck is beautiful. I thought about building a neck myself, but when I realized how many wood working machines you need to do it right, I decided that it's not for me.

Nice tools you've got and nice result. What would a neck like this cost?

Total utter rolls royce perfection

All I can say is WOW! I am handy with wood working but I don't know I could do that even if I had all the right tools as you do. Just wondering ...... how much does it cost to buy all the special tools you used to make this neck?